I'd learnt to wait all my life. Wolves use their jaws and claws to attack, but I worked in tranquil areas where people trust their own ideas.

Since the morning, Matilda had been fragile. Her hands were doing insignificant, pointless tasks as though movement could heal the hole that had opened inside of her, and her hair was twisted at the back of her neck.

I approached her as if we were friends. At first, I spoke softly. "You appear worn out."

She wanted to make her surprise ...